Here's What Happened When I Started Treating My Savings Like a Monthly Bill
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For years, I saved whatever was left at the end of the month (if anything was left at all). Some months that meant $500. Some months, nothing.
But a couple of years ago, I decided to flip that order completely. Instead of saving last, I started saving first.
And that one shift -- treating my savings like a fixed monthly bill -- changed everything about how I manage money.
Paying yourself first actually works
I used to think saving was about discipline. Turns out, it's about automation.
Once I set up a recurring transfer to my high-yield savings account, it became just another line item in our monthly budget -- right next to rent and utilities.
The trick was taking away the decision fatigue. There's no "I'll do it later" moment because it already happens automatically.
After the first few months, I stopped noticing the transfer, but I definitely noticed how fast the balance started to grow.
Why I use a high-yield savings account
I wanted a place where that money would still feel accessible but wasn't sitting idle in a checking account earning pennies.
That's why I use the LendingClub LevelUp Savings account. It rewards consistency -- offering 4.20% APY with $250+ in monthly deposits.
My automatic savings transfer hits that threshold every month, unlocking the top rate without me having to think about it. There are no monthly fees, the app is simple, and the account's FDIC-insured, so it's as safe as my checking account, just smarter.
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LendingClub LevelUp Savings
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- Competitive APY
- No fees
- Easy ATM access
- Unlimited number of external transfers (up to daily transaction limits)
- Requires you to make monthly deposits to earn the best APY
- ACH outbound transfers limited to $10,000 per day for some accounts
- No branch access; online only
The LendingClub LevelUp Savings account has a lot to offer. At the top of the list is its high APY, though you must deposit monthly to earn the best rate. Next is zero account fees, a strong and straightforward perk. Finally, you get a free ATM card, which you can use to withdraw from thousands of ATMs nationwide. Interested? You can open an account with $0.
For comparison, many big-bank savings accounts still pay around 0.01%. That means a few minutes setting this up can translate into hundreds more earned each year, all from the same money you already have.
How to get started
- Pick your number. Decide how much you can "bill" yourself each month -- even $50 or $100 is a great start.
- Set it and forget it. Schedule an automatic transfer to your savings account every payday.
- Watch it build. Give it three to six months, and you'll see real progress -- no spreadsheets or strict budgets required.
The results sneak up on you (in the best way).
The shift that changed everything
Treating my savings like a bill didn't make me richer overnight. It made me consistent. And that consistency is what builds real wealth over time.
If you've been meaning to save more but never feel like there's room left, flip the script: pay your savings first. Your future self will thank you.
See how you can earn more on every dollar you save in our LendingClub LevelUp Savings review.
Our Research Expert
Brooklyn Sprunger is a full-time Content Manager and Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, where she oversees product reviews and ratings while also writing about credit cards, bank accounts, investing, auto insurance, and other personal finance topics. She has worked in financial content since 2018, including more than four years at The Motley Fool. When she’s not writing or editing, Brooklyn is likely hiking and watching the Tennessee Vols.